Remote control switching device to control separate detection of a plurality buried conductors

Abstract

A system for detecting a plurality buried conductors includes a transmitter configured to generate an alternating test signal for a plurality of buried conductors. The system further includes a receiver configured to detect an electromagnetic field produced by the alternating test signal in the plurality buried conductors and a remote control configured to control the transmitter to generate the alternating test signal in one of the plurality of buried conductors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for detecting a plurality buried conductors, the system comprising:
 a transmitter configured to generate an alternating test signal for a plurality of buried conductors;   a receiver configured to detect an electromagnetic field produced by the alternating test signal in the plurality buried conductors; and   a remote control configured to control the transmitter to generate the alternating test signal in one of the plurality of buried conductors.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to connect to each of the plurality of buried conductors. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to connect to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to connect to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors; and wherein the remote control is configured to operate the switch to select which one of the plurality of buried conductors receives the alternating test signal. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to connect to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors; and wherein the remote control is configured to wirelessly operate the switch to select which one of the plurality of buried conductors receives the alternating test signal. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 analog to digital converters to convert field strength signals into digital signals; and   a digital signal processor arranged to process the digital signals and to isolate signals of predetermined frequency bands, wherein the receiver includes a plurality of antennas for detecting the electromagnetic field produced by the alternating test signal in the plurality of buried conductors, and   wherein each of the plurality of antennas output a field strength signal representative of the electromagnetic field at each of the plurality of antennas.   
     
     
         7 . A system for detecting a plurality buried conductors, the system comprising:
 means for producing an alternating test signal in a plurality of buried conductors;   means for detecting an electromagnetic field produced by the alternating test signal in the plurality buried conductors; and   means for remotely controlling the means for producing to generate the alternating test signal in one of the plurality of buried conductors.   
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the means for producing is configured to connect to each of the plurality of buried conductors. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the means for producing is configured to connect to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the means for producing is configured to connect to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors; and wherein the means for remotely controlling is configured to operate the switch to select which one of the plurality of buried conductors receives the alternating test signal. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the means for producing is configured to connect to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors; and wherein the means for remotely controlling is configured to wirelessly operate the switch to select which one of the plurality of buried conductors receives the alternating test signal. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 analog to digital converters to convert field strength signals into digital signals; and   a digital signal processor arranged to process the digital signals and to isolate signals of predetermined frequency bands, wherein the receiver includes a plurality of antennas for detecting the electromagnetic field produced by the alternating test signal in the plurality of buried conductors, and   wherein each of the plurality of antennas output a field strength signal representative of the electromagnetic field at each of the plurality of antennas.   
     
     
         13 . A method of detecting a plurality buried conductors, the method comprising:
 providing a transmitter for producing an alternating test signal in a plurality of buried conductors;   providing a receiver for detecting an electromagnetic field produced by the alternating test signal in the plurality of buried conductors; and   controlling the transmitter with a remote control to generate the alternating test signal in one of the plurality of buried conductors.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the providing a transmitter includes connecting the transmitter to each of the plurality of buried conductors. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the providing a transmitter includes connecting the transmitter to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the providing a transmitter includes connecting the transmitter to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors; and wherein the remote control includes the switch to select which one of the plurality of buried conductors receives the alternating test signal. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the providing a transmitter includes connecting the transmitter to each of the plurality of buried conductors through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to transmit the alternating test signal to one of the plurality of buried conductors; and wherein the remote control includes wireless communication to select which one of the plurality of buried conductors receives the alternating test signal. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the receiver comprises analog to digital converters to convert field strength signals into digital signals and a digital signal processor arranged to process the digital signals and to isolate signals of predetermined frequency bands; wherein the receiver includes a plurality of antennas for detecting the electromagnetic field produced by the alternating test signal in the plurality of buried conductors, and wherein each of the plurality of antennas output a field strength signal representative of the electromagnetic field at each of the plurality of antennas. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the receiver comprises a plurality of antennas for detecting the electromagnetic field produced by the alternating test signal in the plurality of buried conductors. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising associating the remote control with at least one of the transmitter and the switch to one of prevent and reduce erroneous operation.